AUSTIN, April 26, 2016 - The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) today graduated three troopers and three canines from an eight-week training program. These canine teams will join 44 other DPS teams stationed throughout Texas, including six explosive-detection teams stationed in Austin.

“DPS canine teams have been instrumental in keeping ton quantities of drugs out of our communities,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “Our highly trained Troopers and dogs are a tremendous asset to the department, working to disrupt drug trafficking operations across the state and ultimately making Texas a safer place.”

Two of the dogs were obtained from the U.S. Department of Defense, and the third dog was donated. This canine graduation class includes two Belgian Malinois and one Malherd (a Belgian Malinois/German Shepard mix). All the newly-trained dogs will be used for drug detection.

In 2015, DPS canine teams assisted in the seizure of approximately 10,000 pounds of marijuana, 515 pounds of cocaine, 60 pounds of heroin, 48 pounds of methamphetamine, 32 pounds of hashish, and $10.2 million in cash.